Puzzle



I. c. WASHINGTON.

PUZZLE.

. APPLICATION FILED MAR. I4`l 1921.

m4312496, 1 Patented 0st. W, 1922,.

ltliatented @et lill, 1922.

` 4 l il" ll iti PUZZLE.

Application filed March 14, 1921. Serial No. 452,043,

all w hom t may concern "ron, citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of C'olumbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles, of which the following is a specification.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in puzzles and more particularly to a puzzle wherein the object is to cause a series of movable elements to be moved, in sequence, through different ways and` means into a nal container.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a puzzle whose proper operation requires the exercise of both skill and patience and is so constructed whereby it may be cheaply manufactured and sold at a reasonably low cost.

A further object of the invention is to y provide a puzzle as abovedescribed wherein the body and in fact all parts thereof excepting the movable elements may be formed inl an integral piece ot material such as papier mache or other material that may be so stamped and molded.

Various other objects and vadvantages of my invention will become apparent during the continuance of the following description.

`In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in top plan showing my invention as inits preferred embodiment.

Figure 2 is a view in transvcrscqcross section taken tllrougl'i the body olf the puzzle.

The body portion of the puzzle comprises au outer rim 1() which carries an inwardly projecting bottom portion 11, a slanting connecting portion 12 and a raised center portion '13. This construction provides an outer circular' channel or passageway l/l leve] with the bottom oi the riin l() as clearly shown in the drawing. This channel or passageway receives the` movable ele .ments or balls 15 which are numbered 1, 2, 55 and 4t respectively when it is desired to begin the operation oil the puzzle.

4 rThe raised center portion '1.3 is provided with a concentric circular rim 11,6 which has an opening 17 on one side and which divides the center portion into an outer channel 1S and a container 19. ln order to establish v communication between the channel 14 and the channel 18 and thus enable the balls 15 to be moved from the channel `14C to the channel 18 thence through the opening 17 into the container portion 16, the raised intermediate part 12 is provided with a series of spaced by-passages 20, 21, 22 and 23 that are spaced at substantially 90 degrees from each other and so that the by-passage 2O is aligned with the opening 17 of the rim 16. These by-passages open flush with the bottom-ot the passageway 11 and the passageway 18 so that when the puzzle is tilted to a proper degree, the operator may cause one of the balls to roll through one of the bypassages into the passageway 18. rlhe operator may then cause the ball to roll around the passage 18 and through the opening 17 into the container 19. The container 19 is provided with a recess 24 of graduated depth that terminates in substantial alignment with the by-passages 21 and 22. r1`he purpose of this particular arrangement will be hereinafter described. lt will also be noticed that the by-passages are number 1, 2, 3 and 4l respectively to correspond with the numbers of the balls 15.

rlhe object of the puzzle is to get the balls 15 from the passage 14: to the container 19 through the proper by-passages and in proper sequence. ln other words, ball #l is caused to roll through 'the bypassage marked #1 and designated by the numeral 20, across the passage 18 into the `container 19. Getting the first ball into the container is comparatively easy by reason of the tact that the by-passage 20 is aligned with the opening 17 through which the ball. has to pass to get iuto the container. Ball #l having found its seat in the recess 24, ball :#:2 then rolled through. the bypassage marked :/:,':2, around the passage 18 until it enters the container through the opening 17. lnaSmUch as thc ball #l is seated in the recess 24.- it will not be dislodged during this manipulation unless the operator tilts the body too much in causing the ball to roll to its linal destination. litter the .rst three balls have been gotten into the cora tainer the most diilicult part of the operaf tion. begins. However by properly manipulating and tilting the body, ball :fz/:4l may be gotten into the container without dislodging the remaining three.

l/"Vhat is claimed is A puzzle of the character described comprising a body portion having a circular channel way, a raised center portion concentric lto said channel, radial channels leading lfrom said First mmied channel to sind (enter portion, means (ufnlmg sand center portion into :t circular channel conrecess offset with respect to the opening hetween the salme :1nd said. lust named vlnmnel, 10 und 21. Series olf movable elei'nents 'to he operatedin connes-tion therewith substantially as described.

In testimony whereof l :iilix my signature.

`THOS. C. VVASHINUTON. 

